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: release notes

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Contents

Alphacam 2013 R1 Official Release ........................................................................................................................................................................2 Installation/DVD Contents ...................................................................................................................................................................................2 Localization ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................2 General ................................................................................................................................................................................................................2 Nesting .................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 Post Processor ....................................................................................................................................................................................................3 Add-Ins .................................................................................................................................................................................................................3

CAD to CAM ....................................................................................................................................................................................................3 Multidrill ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................4 Nest Reports and Labels ................................................................................................................................................................................4 Reports (SysMacro) ........................................................................................................................................................................................4

Alphacam 2013 R1 Release Candidate 1 ...............................................................................................................................................................5 Installation/DVD Contents ...................................................................................................................................................................................5 Localization ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................5 General ................................................................................................................................................................................................................5 Lathe ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................6 Feature Extraction ...............................................................................................................................................................................................6 CAD Translators ..................................................................................................................................................................................................6 Post Processor ....................................................................................................................................................................................................6 API........................................................................................................................................................................................................................6 Add-Ins ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Automated Parametric Manufacturing..........................................................................................................................................................10 Convert to Circle ...........................................................................................................................................................................................10 Fast Work Volume ........................................................................................................................................................................................11 Reports (SysMacro) ......................................................................................................................................................................................11

Alphacam 2013 R1 Beta 3 .....................................................................................................................................................................................12 Installation/DVD Contents .................................................................................................................................................................................12 Localization ........................................................................................................................................................................................................12 General ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................12 CAD Translators ................................................................................................................................................................................................13 Post Processor ..................................................................................................................................................................................................14 API......................................................................................................................................................................................................................14 Add-Ins ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................14

Automated Parametric Manufacturing..........................................................................................................................................................14 Reports (SysMacro) ......................................................................................................................................................................................14

Alphacam 2013 R1 Beta 2 .....................................................................................................................................................................................16 Installation/DVD Contents .................................................................................................................................................................................16 Localization ........................................................................................................................................................................................................16 General ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................16 Nesting ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................17 Post Processor ..................................................................................................................................................................................................17 API......................................................................................................................................................................................................................17 Add-Ins ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................18

AutoStyles (SysMacro) .................................................................................................................................................................................18 Quick Nest Geometries .................................................................................................................................................................................18 Reports (SysMacro) ......................................................................................................................................................................................18 Quick Nest Geometries .................................................................................................................................................................................18

Alphacam 2013 R1 Beta 1 .....................................................................................................................................................................................19 Installation/DVD Contents .................................................................................................................................................................................19 Localization ........................................................................................................................................................................................................20 General ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................20 Lathe ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................24 Nesting ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................24 Lathe ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................25 Simulation ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................25 API......................................................................................................................................................................................................................25 Add-Ins ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................28

AutoStyles (SysMacro) .................................................................................................................................................................................28 BXF Translator ..............................................................................................................................................................................................28 Geometry Z Levels from Parallel Planes .....................................................................................................................................................28 Trocoidal Milling (SysMacro) ........................................................................................................................................................................28 Reports (SysMacro) ......................................................................................................................................................................................28 Save Solid Bodies (SysMacro) .....................................................................................................................................................................28

: release notes


Alphacam 2013 R1 Official Release

Alphacam: 12.0.0.180 GeoUtilities: 12.0.0.102

Nesting: 12.0.0.109 Parametric: 12.0.0.100 STL Input: 12.0.0.103

Feature Extraction: 12.0.0.206 SolidImport: 11.0.0.101 Solid Simulation: 12.0.0.105

Alphaedit: 12.0.0.103 AcamAddIns: 12.0.0.123

Please see all sections within this document, including the Beta and Release Candidate sections below, for a complete listing of new features and improvements to 2013 R1.

Installation/DVD Contents

New 53446 Many example Alphacam Report layout files are now in the ExampleFiles\Report Layouts folder on the DVD

New 52813 A standalone Alphacam Report Viewer/Printer installation is now supplied in the ExtraAdd-Ins\ReportViewer folder on the DVD. This is an unlicensed application intended to be installed on systems that do not have

Alphacam installed on them. With this application, Alphacam report layouts and data files can be opened allowing for reports to be viewed and/or printed.

Updated 52915 HASP security key drivers have been updated for Windows 8 support

Updated 52899 Updated additional Japanese language files

Updated 52030 Implemented latest SolidLink installer (CAD translator engine)

Localization

Fixed 52009 Alphaedit – Some instances of the Cancel button were not localized

General

New 48355 New BTL Translator add-in provides the ability to read BTL file types and convert them to Alphacam drawings.

BTL allows data transfer from design software to CNC machines for things such as the manufacture of timber framed roofs, log homes, and wooden house construction.

Upon activating the add-in, a new File ► Convert BTL Files pop-out menu is created, which in turn contains new

Create Alphacam Drawings and Assemble BTL Components commands. The Create Alphacam Drawings command allows BTL assembly files to be exploded into their constituent parts,

applying geometry to allow machining processes to be applied.

This version currently supports the following BTL processes…

Cut

Longitudinal Cut

Double Cut

Drilling

Tenon

Mortise

Additional processes will be added in future versions. If unsupported processes are detected during file translation, the user is informed with a detailed list of these processes when translation has completed.

The Assemble BTL Components command reassembles the generated Alphacam drawings for visual reference.

: release notes


New 52635 A new Copy and Move Operation command has been added to the right-click menu in the Project Manager’s Operation tab

This command copies and moves the operation (to a selected point) complete, including all associated geometry

so that it can be fully edited independent from the original operation.

Improved 53642 Utils ► Radius of now displays the diameter as well

Improved 50879 Improved display when using View ► Display Options ► Material Cut

Fixed 52671 Dwell property is now disabled when using Local/Linear or Global/Linear drilling

Nesting

New 50843 New Minimize Sheet Patterns option for True Shape nesting

If checked, the nester will attempt to produce fewer distinct part arrangements, minimizing the number of unique sheet patterns and therefore reducing the number of NC code programs required. However, because part

arrangements are reduced, this could result in a cost to sheet/material utilization.

This option is not available when the

Use Original Nester option is used.

Fixed 51511 When re-nesting into an existing sheet, the gap distance between the newly nested parts and pre-existing parts was being ignored

Post Processor

New 52656 New CHM post variable is set to 1 if chamfering

Changed 52656 MOT post variable is now set to 21 for chamfering, rather than 25. This change was made to better support existing post processors.

Add-Ins

CAD to CAM

New 52812 Reports/labels can now be created using the new Reports application, allowing for much more flexibility with report and/or label generation. This new functionality also now allows for reports and/or labels to be created for un-

nested parts in addition to nested sheets and parts.

: release notes


There is a new Save Reports Data Files To setting in the CAD to CAM options. This determines where the resulting report data files are saved.

There is also a Use Legacy Nest Reports and Labels Add-In setting in the CAD to CAM options. If checked,

CAD to CAM will use the “old” Nest Reports and Labels Add-In for its report/label generation, as with previous versions, if that is desired.

Multidrill

Improved 53631 53583

53578

General improvements to the database designer

Nest Reports and Labels

Removed 47486 The Nest Reports and Labels add-in has been retired in favor of the new Reports application. If using this add-in is desired, it can be found in the ..\ExtraAdd-Ins\LegacyAdd-Ins\StartUp\NestReportsAndLabels folder on

the DVD. Simply copy this NestReportsAndLabels folder to your ..\Alphacam 2013 R1\StartUp\Utils folder, restart Alphacam and select it in the Add-Ins list as normal.

Reports (SysMacro)

New 53638 New Operation Data ► Note data field and Operation Data ►Additional Notes sub-fields

Fixed 47486 Many general fixes/enhancements

: release notes


Alphacam 2013 R1 Release Candidate 1








Updated 52032 Implemented latest CADLinks installations

Updated 52031 Implemented latest Part Modeler 2013 R1 installation

Updated 52030 Implemented latest CLS 2013 R1 installer (build 6779)

Localization

Changed - Reports – In AcamReports.txt, $5025 line 5 has been changed from “Create Data File Only to “Data File Only”.

General

New 52613 New Delete Original option when offsetting a geometry or surface

New 50958 New Display Operation Notes button on the Operations project manager page automatically expands all

operation nodes that contain operation notes as well as the Notes node within them

New 43667 Machine ► Set/Unset Open Elements command is now available in the Standard levels

Improved 39839 Many Paneling improvements

User is now asked to select the geometries to panel (previously always paneled all geometries in the drawing)

A grid previewing the created panels is now displayed when picking the paneling datum point, providing

a visualization of how the geometries will be paneled

: release notes


Resulting panels are now gapped apart, similar to nested sheets, and moved away from the original geometries for easier identification and access

Improved 52656 Chamfering – The Chamfer Depth can now be set as a negative value. A positive value will drill short, a value of zero will chamfer to the exact size of the hole, and a negative value will create a chamfer. (also

see here)

Fixed 53412 User layers with no name were not being displayed in the Project Manager

Fixed 52528 49979

Pocketing – improved results when using Take Account Previous Machining on complex geometries (e.g., text islands)

Fixed 50371 Saw element angles are now automatically adjusted if the element’s geometry direction is reversed

Fixed 46118 Z Contour Roughing – Changing from current to selected material wasn’t working (also see here)

Lathe

Fixed 53481 Manual lead-in/out moves would sometimes create unnecessary retract moves in NC output

Feature Extraction

Improved 53492 Face/Edge/Point Details command now shows hole Diameter in addition to Radius

Improved 53328 Improved extraction performance when drawing contains a large amount of geometries

CAD Translators

New 52581 SolidWorks 2013 files are now supported

New 51038 Can now import Vero’s VISI (*.wkf) part files

Improved 53204 When importing STEP files, the Join option is now enabled so that automatic joining of 3D polylines can be suppressed

Fixed 53204 Importing of some STEP files would sometimes appear to fail

Post Processor

Fixed - New chamfer cycles (see here) were not being output when using a template type post processor

API

New 52940 Support to edit, add, and change material for Z Contour Roughing operations (also see here)

New MillDataMachiningEngine.SetMaterials method can be used when creating a new operation. The passed AlphacamObjects object is used as the material for the operation.

Example…

Public Sub RoughingSolidSelectedMaterials()

Dim PMat As Path

Dim Materials As AlphacamObjects

Dim SP As SolidPart

Dim MDME As MillDataMachiningEngine

Dim MD As MillData

Dim SP1 As SolidPart

http://www.verosoftware.com/

: release notes


' part - open solid file and stl file

App.OpenExternalFile App.LicomdirPath & _

"licomdir\cadfiles\SIMPLE MILL PART.SLDPRT", "", True

App.OpenExternalFile App.LicomdirPath & _

"licomdir\cadfiles\block 100x100x40.stl", "", False

' material

Set PMat = App.ActiveDrawing.CreateRectangle(-85, -55, 85, 55)

PMat.SetMaterial 25, 0 ' need this to set the Z levels

Set Materials = App.ActiveDrawing.CreateAlphacamObjectsCollection

Materials.Add PMat

' add STL to materials object

Set SP = App.ActiveDrawing.SolidParts(2)

Materials.Add SP

' select the tool

App.SelectTool App.LicomdatPath & "licomdat\mtools.alp\flat - 10mm.amt"

Set MD = App.CreateMillData

' select solid to machine

Set SP1 = App.ActiveDrawing.SolidParts(1)

SP1.Selected = True

MD.SurfaceMCAction = acamSurfaceMCActionROUGHING

MD.SafeRapidLevel = 50

MD.MaxDepthPerCut = 5

MD.RapidDownTo = 41

MD.WidthOfCut = 5

MD.StockXY = 0.5

MD.StockZ = 0.25

' use Machining Engine, set materials and machine

Set MDME = MD.MillDataMachiningEngine

MDME.SetMaterials Materials

MDME.MillType = AcamMillTypeOptimised

MDME.MachineSolid

End Sub

New MillData.GetMaterials function (AlphacamObjects) can be used to retrieve the materials (Path or SolidPart) associated with the a specific operation.

Example…

Public Sub GetGeos()

Dim SubOp As SubOperation

Dim MD As MillData

Dim Geos As AlphacamObjects

Dim Mats As AlphacamObjects

Set SubOp = App.ActiveDrawing.Operations(1).SubOperations(1)

Set MD = SubOp.GetMillData

Set Geos = MD.GetGeometries

MsgBox Geos.Count

Set Mats = MD.GetMaterials

MsgBox Mats.Count

End Sub

: release notes


The existing MillData.AddGeometry method can be used to add material (Path or SolidPart) to an existing operation using a new acamAssociateMaterial value for the Type (AcamAssociateType) parameter.

Examples…

Public Sub RoughingAddMaterialSolid()


Dim MD As MillData

Dim SP As SolidPart



' add the STL as material

Set SP = App.ActiveDrawing.SolidParts(2)

MD.AddGeometry SP, acamAssociateMaterial

SubOp.SetMillData MD

End Sub

Public Sub RoughingAddMaterialGeometry()


Dim MD As MillData

Dim PMat As Path



' add geometry as material

Set PMat = App.ActiveDrawing.CreateRectangle(-85, -55, 85, 55)

PMat.SetMaterial 25, 0 ' need this to set the Z levels

MD.AddGeometry PMat, acamAssociateMaterial


End Sub

The existing MillData.RemoveGeometry method can be used to remove material(s) from an existing operation,

using a new acamAssociateMaterial value for the Type (AcamAssociateType) parameter. Examples…

Public Sub RoughingRemoveMaterialSolids()


Dim MD As MillData


Dim SP As SolidPart

Dim O As Object

On Error Resume Next




' remove all associated solid materials

For Each O In Mats

Set SP = Nothing

Set SP = O

If Not SP Is Nothing Then

: release notes


MD.RemoveGeometry SP, acamAssociateMaterial

End If

Next O


End Sub

Public Sub RoughingRemoveMaterialGeometries()


Dim MD As MillData


Dim O As Object

Dim P As Path

On Error Resume Next




' remove all associated geometry materials

For Each O In Mats

Set P = Nothing

Set P = O

If Not P Is Nothing Then

MD.RemoveGeometry P, acamAssociateMaterial

End If

Next O


End Sub

New 52865 New MillData methods to get and set LeadData. These methods can be used in conjunction with SubOperation.GetMillData and SubOperation.SetMillData.

GetLeadData function (LeadData), SetLeadData procedure

GetLeadData3D function (LeadData), SetLeadData3D procedure

Examples…

Public Sub GetAndSetLeadDataExample()

Dim LD As LeadData

Dim MD As MillData


' get a suboperation


' get the milldata from the suboperation


' get the leaddata from the milldata

Set LD = MD.GetLeadData

' change the leaddata

LD.LeadIn = acamLeadBOTH

LD.LengthIn = 0.5

LD.RadiusIn = 2

: release notes


LD.LineArcInTangential = True

LD.LeadOut = acamLeadBOTH

LD.LengthOut = 0.5

LD.RadiusOut = 1.5

LD.LineArcOutTangential = True

' (re)set the new leaddata for the milldata

MD.SetLeadData LD

' now (re)set the milldata for the suboperation


End Sub

Public Sub GetAndSetLeadData3DExample()

Dim LD As LeadData3D

Dim MD As MillData


' get a suboperation


' get the milldata from the suboperation


' get the leaddata from the milldata

Set LD = MD.GetLeadData3D

' change the leaddata

LD.LeadIn = acamLeadBOTH

LD.LengthIn = 0.5

LD.RadiusIn = 2

LD.LeadOut = acamLeadBOTH

LD.LengthOut = 0.5

LD.RadiusOut = 1.5

' (re)set the new leaddata for the milldata

MD.SetLeadData3D LD

' now (re)set the milldata for the suboperation


End Sub

New 53204 New CadInputSettings.Join3DPolylines property (Boolean)

New 53204 New GeoCad.SetCadInputSettings method

New - New Paths.DragMove2 function (Long)

Let the user graphically drag the paths to a new location, not using XOR

Improved 53529 LatheTool.SavePreviewImage is now supported

Add-Ins

Automated Parametric Manufacturing

Fixed 53366 Error would sometimes occur when inserting fitting data when subcomponents with fittings are also present

Fixed 53365 When importing a CSV file, the wrong fitting types for subcomponents were displayed

Convert to Circle

Changed

52727 Geometry and Spline Commands moved from Utils ► Special Functions ► Convert to Circle to a single Edit

► Convert Geometries/Spines to Circles command

: release notes


Improved 52727 Original layers are now preserved and undo support has been added

Fast Work Volume

Fixed

53367 “Type mismatch” error would occur on some systems

Reports (SysMacro)

New 53339 Improved machining time output

New 53141 Implemented online help file

New 47486 Added complete set of Reports menu items and a new Reports toolbar to Alphacam

Fixed - Many general fixes/improvements

: release notes


Alphacam 2013 R1 Beta 3







Updated 52030 Implemented latest CLS 2013 R1 installer (2013.10 build 6659)

Fixed 53096 Improved support for localized LICOMDIR subfolders

Fixed 52917 The Alphacam installation would error if the .Net Framework was not previously installed (e.g., on a clean Windows XP system) (proper fix)

Fixed 51078 HASP drivers are now installed (proper fix)

As of this writing, the installed HASP drivers do not yet support Windows 8. However, the current

beta drivers are available in the Support\HASP\Windows8_beta_v6.26 folder on the Alphacam DVD. To install, run install.bat from within that folder and simply wait for the installation to finish.

Localization

Changed 47486 Reports – Many changes in AcamReports.txt (for clarity)

$5020 line 4 has been changed from “Note” to “Description”. Also see here.

$5025 line 1 has been changed from “Data Output” to “Data Output Settings”

$5025 line 4 has been changed from “Report Layout” to “Report Layout(s)”

$50100 line 9 has been changed from “Note” to “Description”. Also see here.

$50200 line 7 has been removed. Also see here.

$50400 line 2 has been changed from “Name” to “Nested Part Name”

$50400 line 2 has been changed from “Name” to “Nested Part Name”

$50400 line 5 has been changed from “Filename” to “Nested Filename”

$50400 line 6 has been changed from “Full Path” to “Full Path to Nested File”

$50400 line 7 has been changed from “Full Path, No File Extension” to “Full Path to Nested File, No File Extension”

Improved - Improved character support on splash screen

General

New 52671 New Local/Linear drilling option

All drilling cycles can now be output as Local Linear as well as the existing Global Linear.

The benefit to this is that 3+2 type NC code is created with work plane support, rather than full 5-axis code with tool vectors. Thus better supporting indexing type machines and machines that utilize plane rotation functionality.

New 52670 New Boring options to support canned cycle Rapid or Feed Retract with Feedrate Modifier. Also see here.

: release notes


Also new Stop/Shift option with definable tool Disengaging Angle and Shift Amount to avoid marking the bored surface on retraction. Also see here.

New 52669 New Tapping options to support canned cycle peck tapping with Full or Partial Retract. The user can define either Solid or Floating tool holder with a dwell time. Also see here.

New 52661 New Pecking options to support advanced deep hole canned drilling cycles. Values for peck decrement (Decreasing Factor) and Minimum Peck depth can now be applied. Also see here.

In addition, Retract can now be set to Full, Partial, or Both with a user defined Full Retract Depth to indicate when to start full retraction, helping to prevent tool clogging. Also see here.

New 52656 New Chamfering drilling method

This new cycle automatically calculates the required depth from a given chamfer depth.

This cycle supports drill type and flat type tools defined with taper angles. All selected holes, including Auto Z support, will be analyzed to ensure the tool can enter the hole where there is a flat on the bottom of the tool, and that the tool diameter is sufficient to complete the full depth of chamfer.

New 51452 Oscillation command is now available in the Standard levels

Fixed 53291 Launch Screen – Now supports Homework Mode

Fixed 53205 Automatic Support Tags would crash when applied in some instances

Fixed 53121 Launch Screen – Improved support for localization

Fixed 52874 Can now save drawings as version 2012 R1

CAD Translators

Fixed 48065 Postscript (add-in), Alphacam would sometimes crash when importing certain files

: release notes


Post Processor

New 52671

52670 52669 52661

52656

New drilling cycle post variables (also see here)

ZPD – Z Peck Decrement Factor Range 0-1

o Example, 0.2 will reduce a 5 peck by 5 X 0.2 = 1 giving a reduced peck of 4

ZPM – Minimum Z Peck Distance

FRD – Z Depth at which to change to Full Retract

BFP – Flag to set Both(Full & Partial Retract on Pecking) 0=No, 1=Yes

TZP – Tapping Cycle Z Peck Distance. (ZP is used for the pitch in this cycle)

RR – Flag for Rapid or Feedrate Retract on Boring Cycle 0=Rapid, 1=Feed

FRR – Feedrate for Retract on Boring Cycle

SSB – Flag to indicate use of Stop/Shift on Boring Cycle

TDA – Tool Disengaging Angle for Boring Stop/Shift Cycle

TSA – Tool Disengaging/Shift Amount for Boring Stop/Shift Cycle

API

New 52671 52670

52669 52661 52656

New PostVariables properties (also see here)

ZPD (Double) read-only

ZPM (Double) read-only

FRD (Double) read-only

BFP (Double) read-only

TZP (Double) read-only

RRF (Double) read-only

FRR (Double) read-only

SSB (Double) read-only

TDA (Double) read-only

TSA (Double) read-only

New 52656 New AcamDrillType. acamCHAMFER enum member

New 52671 52656

New MillData properties…

ChamferDepth (Single)

DrillLocalLinear (Boolean)

Add-Ins

Automated Parametric Manufacturing

Fixed 53304 Improved support for MS SQL Server 2000

Reports (SysMacro)

New

53103 Can now create reports from up to 4 different layouts simultaneously

Changed 47486 The Description property no longer displays the existing drawing note (if exists) by default as a drawing not is not

job specific. Also see here and here.

: release notes


Changed 47486 The Drawing Data.Image field has been removed as it is redundant (is same as Part Data.Image)

Improved 53122 More default job values are now remembered between sessions

Fixed 53259 When asked to save a modified report layout, nothing would happen

Fixed 53220 The Part Data ► Quantity on Nested Sheet data field now contains the proper value

Fixed 53014 47486

Many general fixes

: release notes








Updated 52899 Updated Japanese language files




Changed 52901 The default installation folder has been changed from [PROGRAM_FILES]\Alphacam 2013 R1 to

[PROGRAM_FILES]\Alphacam\Alphacam 2013 R1

Fixed 52917 The Alphacam installation would error if the .Net Framework was not previously installed (e.g., on a clean

Windows XP system)

Fixed 51078 HASP drivers are now installed

Localization

Changed 52949 Reports – In AcamReports.txt, all CAD to CAM specific field captions have been moved from $50400 to $50411. As a result, line 38 (“Image”) of $50400 is now line 11. Also see here.

General

New 52928 Z Contour Roughing – New Re-select Material(s) command added to the right-click menu in the Project Manager’s Operation tab, allowing for the associated material to be changed or added to. Also see here.

New 52849 A new Create Desktop Shortcut option has been added to the Alphacam launch screen. To invoke this option, simply right-click on the desired module. Clicking the option will create a shortcut specific to that module on the

Windows desktop, providing quick and easy access to frequently used modules.

: release notes


New 52675 Tool Axis Conversion – New Side Tilt Angle and Direction Angle properties for use when using a Normal to… conversion option. These new settings can be used to prevent the tool from cutting on its center, cutting more efficiently.

Updated 52875 Can now save drawings as version 2012 R2

Updated 52850 The Alphacam launch screen now supports icons for Alphacad Router and Alphacad Stone

Fixed 52917 The Alphacam installation could possibly fail if the .Net Framework was not previously installed (e.g., on a clean Windows XP system). The order of dependency installs has been altered to correct this.

Fixed 52894 The Alphacam launch screen is no longer displayed if no licenses are available

Fixed 52890 Oscillation would be wrong if using sloping lead-in/out moves

Fixed 52878 In some instances, Combined Pocketing operations would contain the wrong title in the operations list

Nesting

Fixed 52856 Order Tool Paths in Nested Sheets command was creating unwanted extra paths if the sheet had paths

containing only rapid moves

Fixed 52855 Drill then Cut Inner Paths First option would fail with Global/Linear drilling operations

Fixed 52336 Assisted Nesting – Improved results when automatically finishing all sheets

Post Processor

New 52892 New LicomUKDMBOscillation path attribute (PAT)

1 = Sine

2 = Zig-zag

API

New 52874 New AcamSaveAsVersion.acamSaveAsV11 enum member

New 52678 New App.Drawings object contains a collection of all drawings open in the instance of Alphacam. This is

primarily used when working with multiple temporary drawings. Also see App.TempDrawings.

Item function (Drawing)

Count property (Long) Read-Only

New 52678 New App.TempDrawings property (Drawings)

Contains a collection of all open temporary drawings in the instance of the application

New 52678 New Layer.SolidParts property (SolidParts)

Contains a collection of all SolidPart objects within the layer

New 52678 New SolidPart.GetLayer function (Layer)

Returns the Layer that the SolidPart resides in

New 52678 New SolidPart.SetLayer method

Puts the SolidPart on the given Layer

: release notes


New 52678 New SolidPart.Copy function

Returns a copy of the SolidPart object

New 52678 New SolidPart.Drawing property (Drawing)

Returns the Drawing that the SolidPart resides in

New 52678 New SolidPart.MoveToDrawing method

Moves the SolidPart to the given (temporary) Drawing

New - New MillData.IsDrilling property (Boolean)

Add-Ins

AutoStyles (SysMacro)

Fixed 52600 Solids are now deselected after machining

Quick Nest Geometries

Fixed 52886 The sheet selection prompt is now translated

Reports (SysMacro)

Improved - Many general improvements

Improved 52942 Report data is now automatically refreshed in the designer if already being used by an active report

Changed 52949 CAD to CAM data is now displayed in its own node within the Part Data listing. Also see Localization section.

Fixed 52926 Order Date, Due Date, and Processed Date data fields contained unusable values

Fixed 52925 Localized designer resource assemblies were not being detected on some systems, resulting in the designer being displayed in English only

Fixed 52884 The AcamReports.txt file did not display special characters correctly (encoding was incorrect)

Quick Nest Geometries

Fixed 52886 The sheet selection prompt is now translated

: release notes











Updated 52030 Implemented latest CLS 2013 R1 installer (2013.10 build 6083)

Updated 52558

51124 49362 49361

Many general updates

Improved 52460 Improved Sentinel driver installation method for better legacy dongle support

Changed 52735 Removed the 3DTutor, Tutorial and WinMacro folders from LICOMDIR. These files/folders can now be found in

the ExampleFiles\LICOMDIR folder on the DVD.

If localized versions of these folders exist in the selected language file set, they will still be installed.

Changed 50811 The Alphacam module section portion of the install has been removed to simplify the installation process.

Now, when Alphacam is installed, a single Alphacam shortcut is created and placed on the Windows Desktop and

both Alphacam and Alphaedit shortcuts are created on the Windows Start Screen or in the Windows Start Menu.

Please see 52439 for further information.

: release notes


Localization

Changed 51980 Text strings from DefaultMaterial.txt have been moved to AcamAddIns.txt

Changed 51040 Text strings from EsplodiMulticorpo.txt (also see 50677) have been moved to AcamAddIns.txt

Changed 50963 Text strings from KeepSelected.txt have been moved to AcamAddIns.txt

Fixed 52009 The OK and Cancel buttons on the Cut Spline/Polyline and Auto Rapids Manager warning dialogs can now be translated

General

New 52439 52373

New Alphacam product launch screen.

When Alphacam is launched, if multiple module licenses are available the user is now presented with a launch screen allowing them to select the desired module to execute. If a single module license is available, that module is executed automatically and the launch screen is not displayed.

New 51624 Support Tags can now be applied to 5-axis operations

New 51452 New Oscillation command added to the right-click menu in the Project Manager’s Operation tab.

This command allows for the tool to automatically oscillate in the Z-axis per the given parameters. This special edit is then associated with the operation and can be automatically updated and saved within a Machining Style.

: release notes


Apply Oscillation – If checked, oscillation will be applied to the operation

Type

Sinusoidal… Zig-Zag…

Z Position Above… Middle… Below…

Utilizing Above or Middle may not produce the desired result, depending on the cut depth of the through cut.

Approximate Pitch

Height

Tolerance – This parameter becomes enabled when using oscillation type of Sinusoidal

New 51483 New Include Additional Rough/Finish Pass option has been added to Pocketing.

With this option checked, the Rough/Finish dialogs are automatically invoked after completing the Pocketing options.

When completed, both routines are combined into a single editable operation.

: release notes


The tooling properties (e.g., tool, tool number, offset number, etc.) that are entered into the Pocketing options are automatically carried over as the default values in the Rough/Finish options. However, it is possible to change

these values. E.g., it is possible to use one tool for the Pocketing and a different tool for the Rough/Finish all

within this single operation. When editing this operation, it can be edited as a whole, or the Pocketing and Rough/Finish operations can be

edited individually.

New 50386

49298

New Automatic Support Tags command added to the right-click menu in the Project Manager’s Operation tab.

This command allows for support tags to be automatically added to all tool paths within the operation, per the given parameters. This special edit is then associated with the operation and can be automatically updated and

saved within a Machining Style.

Apply Support Tags – If checked, support tags will be automatically added to the operation

Specify – Select whether to create specific Number of Tags or a variable number of tags based on the given Approximate Interval between the tags

Limitations

o Ignore Corner if Angle is more than – If zero (0), this option will be ignored. Otherwise, the value will be compared to the path’s angle change between individual elements to determine the compliant corner angles. If the corner angle is not in compliance with the set parameter, an area of

half the tag length either side of the intersection will be restricted from the path.

: release notes


o Minimum Element Length – If zero (0), this option will be ignored. Otherwise, element lengths equal to or less than this value will be ignored. If ignored, an area of half the tag length either side of the intersection will be restricted from the path.

o Maximum Element Length – If zero (0), this option will be ignored. Otherwise, element lengths

equal to or greater to this value will be ignored. If ignored, an area of half the tag length either side

of the intersection will be restricted from the path.

o Minimum Arc Radius – If zero (0), this option will be ignored. Otherwise, arc radiuses equal to or

less than this value will be ignored. If the element is of an acceptable radius, it will be evaluated by the Minimum and Maximum Element Length parameters.

o Centralize to Elements – If checked, tags on a given element will be centered within the element Disabled… Enabled…

Tag Type

Flat… Ramped… Combined…

Tag Size

o Tag Top Z – This will determine the thickness of the tag

o Tag Length – Overall length of tag o Ramp Angle – The angle of the ramp when using the Combined tag type

New 46118 Z Contour Roughing – New Material Selection options allow for selection of the desired material to be used for the operation

If Current Material is selected, the current material is automatically used. If Selected Material(s) is selected, the user is asked to select the material(s) to use.

The materials chosen are now associated with the operation and listed in a new Materials node in the Operations

list.

New 39839 New Edit ► Panelling command This new command allows for large geometries to be broken into sectioned pieces and automatically placed within

separate panels (sheets).

This feature is currently in the preview phase. More information will be provided in an upcoming

release.

Improved 52166 When using the Z Contour Roughing option for Auto-Z Pocketing, the user is now warned if the Rapid Down

To value is less than the maximum cut depth.

: release notes


Improved 50915 Additional Materials are now displayed as material in the Layers project manager page

Improved 50874 Geometry Query Manager now recognizes rotated rectangles

Fixed 52459 In Rough/Finish, when doing helical + multiple XY cuts, the Cutting Order option was not enabled

Fixed 51986 View ► Display Options ► Show Tool Path Arrows is now on be default (new installations)

Fixed 51595 In Rough/Finish, when using Auto-Z with Bi-directional option, the tool paths were sometimes incorrect

Fixed 51394 Tool Axis Conversion – when converting to vertical or to the current work plane, the original work plane was not preserved if part of an operation

Lathe

Fixed 51181 When doing sloping lead-in/out moves in C-axis machining, the slope moves were not being generated in the NC

output

Nesting

New 51481 New Nesting Zone support for small parts. This functionality will allow the user to specify areas within each

nesting sheet to place parts defined as small. Example sheet with specified zones… Example nested result with small part placed in zones…

Using this feature is a two step process…

1. Specify which parts are to be considered small using the Define as Small Part option.

When adding a part to a True Shape nest list there is a new Define as Small Part option. If checked, the part is considered a small part and will be considered when optimizing for nesting zones.

2. Create and define zones within each sheet using the Define Sheets and Zones command. Each sheet can contain one or more zones within it. Selecting the desired sheets and zones can be

done via the new Utils ► Nesting ► Define Sheets and Zones menu item.

: release notes


When using this command, the user is first asked to select the sheet and then the zones within the sheet.

First prompt… Second prompt…

After all sheets and zones have been specific, nesting into those sheets can be done as normal and all

parts specified as small will be nested into the selected zones.

Note that, although multiple zones can be specified within each sheet, zones cannot overlap or share

common edges.

Nesting Zone functionality is only available when using True Shape nesting and is not supported when using the Use Original Nester option.

Fixed 46680 Much improved operation ordering when using both the Drill then Cut Inner Paths First and Minimize Tool Changes options

Lathe

Fixed 51181 When doing sloping lead-in/out moves in C-axis machining, the slope moves were not being generated in the NC output

Simulation

New 51484 New support for slaved (multiple) vertical heads

This feature is currently in the preview phase. More information will be provided in an upcoming

release.

API

New 52349 In Wire, custom operations created via VBA or C++ add-ins can now be made to be associative and editable

New 52106 New License.GetUpdateExpiryMonth function (Long)

Returns the update expiry month for the active license (from January 1996)

New 51484 New MachineConfiguration.AddSlaveHeadPosition and MachineConfiguration.ClearSlaveHeadPositions methods

Example…

Public Sub SlavedHeads()

Dim MC As MachineConfiguration

Dim X As Double

Dim Y As Double

Set MC = App.ActiveDrawing.MachineConfiguration

MC.ToolHomeX = 0

MC.ToolHomeY = 0

MC.ToolHomeZ = 100

: release notes


MC.ToolHomeSet = True

MC.ClearSlaveHeadPositions

For X = 100 To 2000 Step 200

For Y = 100 To 2000 Step 200

MC.AddSlaveHeadPosition X, Y, 100

Next Y

Next X

App.ActiveDrawing.RedrawShadedViews

End Sub

New 51392 New ViewWindow.SaveView and ViewWindow.RestoreView methods.

These new methods allow a view window perspective to be easily saved and restored. Example…

Public Sub SaveRestoreViewWindow()

Dim VW As ViewWindow

Dim lngHandleCurrent As Long

Dim lngHandleTemp As Long

' save the current view to the given handle

Set VW = App.ActiveDrawing.CurrentViewWindow

Call VW.SaveView(lngHandleCurrent)

' change to top view and save

VW.View = acamViewTOP

MsgBox "Set top view"

Call VW.SaveView(lngHandleTemp)

' change the view again to the left view

VW.View = acamViewLEFT

MsgBox "Set left view"

' restore the view to the top view

Call VW.RestoreView(lngHandleTemp)

VW.Redraw

MsgBox "Restored top view"

' restore the orignal view

Call VW.RestoreView(lngHandleCurrent)

VW.Redraw

MsgBox "Restored original view"

End Sub

New 51243 New LeadData.ShowDialogBox and LeadData3D.ShowDialogBox functions (Boolean)

These functions will display the respective lead-in/out dialog box allowing the user to enter the desired values. These values can then be retrieved from the given LeadData or LeadData3D object.

Returns True if user clicked OK and False if user clicked Cancel or closed the dialog. Example…

Public Sub LeadsDialog()

Dim LD As LeadData

Set LD = App.CreateLeadData

' show the lead-in/out dialog

: release notes


If LD.ShowDialogBox Then

' display some simple data entered by the user

MsgBox "In Length =" & LD.LengthIn & vbCrLf & _

"Out Length =" & LD.LengthOut

Else

MsgBox "User cancelled"

End If

End Sub

New 51243 New LeadData3D object

LeadIn (AcamLeadType)

LeadOut (AcamLeadType)

SlopeIn (Boolean)

SlopeOut (Boolean)

LengthIn (Double)

LengthOut (Double)

RadiusIn (Double)

AngleIn (Double)

RadiusOut (Double)

AngleOut (Double)

Tolerance (Double)

Overlap (Double)

FeedDownDistance (Double)

FeedrateModifierIn (Single)

FeedrateModifierOut (Single)

SideIn (AcamLeadSide)

SideOut (AcamLeadSide)

ZSlopeIn (Double)

ZSlopeOut (Double)

New 51243 New LeadData properties…

RadiusIn (Single)

AngleIn (Single)

RadiusOut (Single)

AngleOut (Single)

Overlap (Single)

FeedrateModifierIn (Single)

FeedrateModifierOut (Single)

New 51243 New App.CreateLeadData3D function (LeadData3D)

New 51050 New MillSubStyle.GetLeadData (LeadData) and MillSubStyle.GetLeadData3D (LeadData3D) functions

New 51050 New MillSubStyle.SetLeadData and MillSubStyle.SetLeadData3D methods

New 51099 New MillData.PolylineMcComp property (Boolean)

New 51099 New AcamLeadSide enum

acamLeadLEFT

acamLeadCENTER

acamLeadRIGHT

New 51009 New SolidPart.AddInGUID property (String) Read-Only

Returns a GUID as a string which identifies the solid part type

STL - {CEF3C889-78F1-4A5F-AD5F-D6790F79E1C0} Solid - {D104A8CB-D8DC-46B6-87C6-00B71A1404EA}

Improved 51442 Drawing.GetNestInformation is now supported in temporary drawings

: release notes


Add-Ins

AutoStyles (SysMacro)

Improved 52600 Solids residing on user layers are now supported

BXF Translator

Fixed 52315 Reversed side part file names were not always correct

Fixed 52313 Groove/notch geometries were not created correctly on comma based decimal systems

Geometry Z Levels from Parallel Planes

Fixed 51371 Reapplying to the same geometry after undoing this command failed

Trocoidal Milling (SysMacro)

Fixed 51959 Running this command ran Helical Milling instead

Reports (SysMacro)

New 49559 47769 47486

New Reports add-in and application provides the ability to design and generate robust reports and labels from Alphacam generated data.

Note that an active (updated) maintenance license is required for the end-user designer to be enabled.

This feature is currently in the preview phase. More information will be provided in an upcoming release.

Save Solid Bodies (SysMacro)

Changed 50677 All EsplodiMulticorpo.* files have been renamed to SaveSolidBodies.*

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